Balancing Hobbies as a High School Student

Balancing schoolwork, hobbies, jobs, and after-school activities can be tricky for students at Madison High School. 

Sophomore Kara Erikson has many after-school activities that she enjoys doing.

“I play basketball and I am in the orchestra,” Erikson said, “I also like to hang out with my friends and family.”

These hobbies and sports take up plenty of time for Kara, and she has learned how to balance these things with her schoolwork the past few school years.

“Basketball can take up between one and three hours a day, and violin practice adds on to that as well, so I stay up later to finish my homework on nights I have basketball practice.”

During the crazy school week, there isn’t much time to hang out with friends after school.

“I hang out with my friends on Saturdays, since I don’t usually have homework or practice after school on Fridays,” Erikson said. 

Freshman Charlotte Burgener is also a very busy student during the week. 

“I do choir, I’ve been in multiple plays, I do dance, and I am on the HOPE squad,” Burgener said. 

With all of these extracurricular activities, she has also had to learn balance between these activities and schoolwork. 

“I get everything done by doing my homework at school. Even if that means doing it when we have free time in class or on the bus,” Burgener said.

Taking advantage of free time in school has helped her to be able to have time outside of school for her extracurricular activities, along with spending time with her family and friends. 

“I also like to spend time with friends and family on the weekends, since my teachers don’t give out homework for the weekend,” Burgener said.

Balancing time between school and fun can be challenging for high school students, but it can also be nice to have goals and routines.